Franklin County Fair throws open its gates

Weeklong annual event features games, rides, contests

Emily Bricker, 9, Chambersburg, and Haley Weller, 17, Mercersburg, of the Franklin County 4H Baby Beef Club, work on decorations in their stall Sunday at the Franklin County Fair just off Warm Spring Road at the Chambersburg Rod and Gun Club grounds. (Lauren Cappuccio — Public Opinion)

Tara Brennan, Houstontown, of DMI Concessions, works Sunday to set up the dime toss game at the Franklin County Fair. (Lauren Cappuccio — Public Opinion)

CHAMBERSBURG &GT;&GT; The Franklin County Fair has opened its gates for the week with judging, food, games and rides.

This year's fair is expected to bring in between 12,000 and 13,000 people, according to Robert Eckstine, fair president.

New for this year are a mechanical bull that fair attendees can test their balance on and new games such as a fishbowl toss.

"Friday is usually the busiest," Eckstine said.

On Friday, there will be a Jersey and Brown Swiss dairy show at 9:30 a.m., a dairy cattle showmanship competition at 7 p.m., and a tractor pull at 7 p.m., as well as a professional wrestling show at 7:30 p.m.

There will also be tractor pulls Monday and Thursday evening.

Some of the popular events year after year include the demolition derby scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday.

On Monday, there will be a 4-H rabbit show at 4 p.m., and then the Little Miss contest at 5:30 p.m., the Princess contest at 6:30 p.m. and the Franklin County Fair Queen contest at 8 p.m.

Last year the fair changed its date from the end of August and its organizers have seen an increased number of attendees from previous years. Eckstine is also optimistic about the weather this week, although he said he heard of some possible thunderstorms.

On Sunday, people were getting ready for animal showings later on in the week and spreading hay for the animals.

Kelsey Stewart, 15, Mercersburg, with Western 4-H Club, will be showing a Holstein heifer for the first year.

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"I usually show goats," she said. "It's a lot different."

Emily Bricker, 9, Chambersburg, and Haley Weller, 17, Mercersburg, were out decorating the Franklin County 4H Baby Beef Club sign.

Haley said her favorite part of showing the beef cows is making new friends.

To kick off the fair, a horse show was held Sunday afternoon and included youth and adult riders competing in a variety of classes such as barrel races, poles, English pleasure and walk and trot classes.

The fair will run until July 12 at the Chambersburg Rod and Gun Club grounds, at 3725 Warm Spring Road in Chambersburg.

Admission on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday is $10 per car load and $5 for single admission and walk-ins. On Friday it will be $10 per person 13 and older, and $3 per person 6 to 12 years old. Admissions is free for children 5 and younger.

Parking is free.

No gate admission is collected before 1:30 p.m. so off-site customers may patronize food stands and visit outside exhibits.